India Rocked It: Sachin, Sehwag Laud Men In Blue After Emphatic Win Over Pakistan In T20 World Cup

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar hailed India’s dominant performance against Pakistan in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group A clash, praising the team’s control in the powerplay and their clinical execution with both bat and ball.

India secured a comprehensive 61-run victory to strengthen their position at the top of the group and continue their dominance over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history.

Reacting to the win on X, Tendulkar highlighted how India seized control early in the contest. “The powerplay was where India took the game away from them. Ishan Kishan in the first innings, and the clinical bowling we saw in the second innings, made all the difference. We were always in the driver’s seat. India rocked it tonight,” Tendulkar wrote on X.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag also shared his thoughts on the one-sided encounter, singling out Ishan Kishan for his match-defining innings. Taking to X, Sehwag wrote, “Ishan Kishan played like a real Dhurandhar. Among all minnows Pakistan looked like the easiest to beat for Bharat because of their 17th century approach to T-20 cricket, and they have taken a proper beating as usual. Full kambal kuttai.”

With this emphatic win, India now lead Pakistan 8-1 in T20 World Cup meetings.

In the match, Pakistan elected to field first after winning the toss. India suffered an early blow when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck, but Ishan Kishan counter-attacked with a blazing 77 off 40 balls. Tilak Varma supported him with a steady 25 as India built a strong platform.

The Men in Blue slipped to 126/4, losing their set batters and Hardik Pandya for a duck. However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh finished the innings effectively under tough conditions, guiding India to 175/7 in 20 overs. Saim Ayub was the standout bowler for Pakistan with figures of 3/25.

In response, Pakistan crumbled early, reduced to 34/4 by sharp spells from Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. Usman Khan fought with 44 off 34 balls, hitting six fours and a six, but lacked support from the other end. Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs as India sealed their third consecutive win and progressed to the Super 8 stage.

Axar Patel led the bowling effort with 2/29 in four overs, while Hardik (2/16), Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) also picked up two wickets each in a commanding all-round display.

India remain on top of Group A with three wins from three matches. Pakistan have slipped to third place with two wins and one loss, while USA occupy second spot with two wins and two defeats.